The Saint Paul Seminary is pleased to welcome Bishop-elect Patrick Neary, CSC as the new shepherd of the Diocese of St. Cloud. Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis celebrated Neary’s installation Mass on Tuesday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Neary replaces now-officially-retired Bishop Donald Kettler, who turned 78 last month. Per canon law, bishops are required to submit their resignation to the pope at age 75.
“On behalf of the entire Saint Paul Seminary community, I am pleased to welcome Bishop-elect Neary to Minnesota,” said Fr. Joseph Taphorn, rector of The Saint Paul Seminary. “We are grateful to Pope Francis for appointing a holy man with experience in seminary formation and decades of pastoral leadership to strengthen and inspire the Diocese of St. Cloud. We also commend Bishop Kettler for his years of service and leadership in our regional Church and are thankful for the trust he has placed in The Saint Paul Seminary. I look forward to partnering with Bishop-elect Neary in forming joyful, Catholic leaders to serve St. Cloud and the surrounding area for generations to come.”
Said Hebda: “If Pope Francis needs any confirmation that he has made a good choice for the Diocese of St. Cloud, all he needs to do is consider the motto that the bishop-elect has chosen for his episcopate: ‘Ave crux spes unica’ — ‘hail to the Cross, our only hope.'”